Minnesota Vikings: Why the Vikings Should Make a Play for Kevin Kolb

The NFL is back and the free agent season is assured to be a feeding frenzy.  The Vikings are one team that many expect to make some moves to better their offense, especially in the face of possible departures. 

One name that keeps being linked to numerous teams is Kevin Kolb.  Kolb was sometimes linked to the Vikings last season, as Brett Favre looked every bit his age and Tarvaris Jackson continued to look unimpressive.  Nothing ever happened with Minnesota and Kolb, and right now, it appears he is not on the Vikings radar as much as some other veteran quarterbacks, such as Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer. 

While Christian Ponder has grown on me since my initial shock of drafting him with the 12th pick, I am not opposed to grabbing a free agent quarterback like a Palmer or McNabb. The guy the Vikings should go after, however, is Kolb, but not for the reason you may think.

Kolb has been widely speculated to land in Arizona.  The Cardinals are only three years removed from an NFC title, although their roster doesn't look like it.  The one shining prize on the Cardinals roster is superstar receiver, Larry Fitzgerald.  If Kolb goes to Arizona, he and Fitzgerald could form a nice combo. 

Even if the Cardinals are not contenders right away, a competent quarterback could go a long way to keeping Fitzgerald happy, which is what Arizona wants.  Fitzgerald will be a free agent after this season.

For those who do not recall, Larry Fitzgerald is from Minnesota, grew up a Vikings fan and was even a Vikings ball boy growing up.  He works out with Vikings great Cris Carter in the offseason.  His dad still lives and writes for a newspaper in Minnesota.  Wouldn't Fitzgerald look good wearing purple and yellow a year from now?

Sidney Rice appears on his way out, unless he has a change of heart.  Bernard Berrian isn't the deep threat many hoped he would be.  Percy Harvin is the only legitimate wide receiver the Vikings have coming into the 2011-2012 season.  There are free agents out there they may try to sign to a one-year deal in the next couple weeks, but that remains to be seen.

If the Vikings could get Kevin Kolb, they would have two young, promising quarterbacks.  Neither is proven, but at least there is talent there, and competition may be good for both Ponder and Kolb (if Kolb hasn't had enough competition already).  It would also keep a good young quarterback from forming a bond with Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona. 

I don't know what the price is going to be for Kolb, but if it is affordable the Vikings should take it.  Christian Ponder has potential, but he hasn't even taken a snap in an NFL practice, let alone a game.  There is no reason to stand pat at the QB position when a potential pro-bowler is out there for the taking.  If that helps land the best wide receiver in the NFL in 11 months, then that is just icing on the cake.